The latest house sales numbers were released by the local MLS and they show what we here on the ground know. For single family homes in Jupiter the housing supply (Months Supply of Inventory) has increased 107%. Now, this is still only 2.9 months so no cause for alarm but it does show that when viewed along with the other metrics that we APPEAR to be returning to a more balanced supply and demand market.
What’s the difference between a zoning map and a future land use map in Florida?
I had occasion recently to dig into this.
A zoning map shows the zoning designation of a property and is correlated to the zoning code of a municipality. This is the map from which one would obtain the zoning designation of a property so as to go into the zoning code and see what a property may, or may not, be used for. What the building set backs are? May I have a detached garage or say a guest house?
A future land use map is used by the various planning agencies in Florida, FDOT, SFWMD, to plan for growth. So an Engineer working for say the water district would use the future land use map to get the future land use designation of a large areas. They would then look to the Comprehensive Plan or regional water plan to find the maximum density in that area. This would then be used to determine IF with a maximum number of units (and per capita gallons/day) there’s enough water. The future land use map and comprehensive plan are the product of the “local planning agency” which is typically the local panning commission. The BIG thing in the FLU is that ALL zoning codes and official actions (permits) must be in compliance with the Comp Plan.
- FL chapter 163 provides:
- “Local planning agency” means the agency designated to prepare the comprehensive plan or plan amendments required by this act.”
- Specifically 163.3174(4) provides that: The local planning agency SHALL:
- (a) Be the agency responsible for the preparation of the comprehensive plan or plan amendment…
- (b) Monitor and oversee the effectiveness and status of the comprehensive plan…including the periodic evaluation and appraisal of the comprehensive plan required by s. 163.3191.
- (c) Review proposed land development regulations, land development codes, or amendments thereto, and make recommendations to the governing body as to the consistency of the proposal with the adopted comprehensive plan.
What’s the connection between the two? The Comprehensive Plan and future land use is the MAXIMUM use that can done in that land. Fl 163.3194(1)(a) reads “After a comprehensive plan, or element or portion thereof, has been adopted in conformity with this act, ALL development undertaken by, and all (ALL) actions taken in regard to development orders by governmental agencies in regard to land covered by such plan or element SHALL BE consistent with such plan or element as adopted.”
Condominium applications fee limits in Florida
A few years ago the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) got this change made to the Florida Condominium Act 718 to limit the just plain crazy fees that association management companies were charging to approve applications for a Lease or a Sale. At that time it was $100 per “applicant” but it’s been updated since then and is now $150 per “applicant” as per FS 718.112 BUT MAY be adjusted by the cpi (inflation). The condo docs must allow for a fee. The Condo Board must set the fee (to be $150 or less). Note below the definition of an applicant that spouses and /or parents (plural), be they married or not, and any dependent children are considered one applicant. So, and applicant with a spouse and any minor children is ONE applicant so $150. And also note that this statutory cap MAY be increased for inflation every 5 years to a number calculated, and published, by DBPR.
(k) Transfer fees.—An association may not charge a fee in connection with the sale, mortgage, lease, sublease, or other transfer of a unit unless the association is required to approve such transfer and a fee for such approval is provided for in the declaration, articles, or bylaws. Any such fee may be preset but may not exceed $150 per applicant. For the purpose of calculating the fee, spouses or a parent or parents and any dependent children are considered one applicant. However, if the lease or sublease is a renewal of a lease or sublease with the same lessee or sublessee, a charge may not be made. Such fees must be adjusted every 5 years in an amount equal to the total of the annual increases occurring in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, All Items during that 5-year period. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall periodically calculate the fees, rounded to the nearest dollar, and publish the amounts, as adjusted, on its website. The foregoing notwithstanding, if the authority to do so appears in the declaration, articles, or bylaws, an association may require that a prospective lessee place a security deposit, in an amount not to exceed the equivalent of 1 month’s rent, into an escrow account maintained by the association. The security deposit shall protect against damages to the common elements or association property. Payment of interest, claims against the deposit, refunds, and disputes under this paragraph shall be handled in the same fashion as provided in part II of chapter 83.
How to locate a land plat in Florida?
I do this all the time. Look up a land plat here in Palm Beach County. It’s particularly useful for waterfront property to see details on the canal. Also great to know if the property has any easements that one could not build over or otherwise encumber the use of the property. One can also see the lot dimensions on these.
- Go the Property Tax Appraisers web site for say Palm Beach County and look up the property you are trying to find the recorded plat of.
- Once you find it look in the area under “Sales Information” and click on the link to the OR Book/Page of the last Warranty Deed. This will bring you to the Clerk of Courts web site record.
- Open the document and read down through it looking for verbiage to the effect of this instrument conveys say Lot 35 in Block 3 as shown on Plat 1 of the Village of North Palm Beach as recorded in…Book 24 on Page 202. Jot down the book and page given.
- You are already on the Clerk of Courts web site so hit the “New Search” button. Select the “Book/Page” tab. The Select the “Plat Book” option from the drop down menu. Now enter the Book and Page in the correct format like 24/202 and hit search. And, there it is.
- Save this locally and start to examine it.
- Start with the general notes and look for things like use restrictions, easements like utliity or drainage and the like.
- Now find the subject property and look at it. Note any easements or roads shown FOR THAT PROPERTY. Note the lot dimensions.
What can I do to get my Florida Citizens wind storm insurance reduced?
OK, so you just got your Citizens Insurance quote and it’s sticker shock so how can you get that down?
First, make sure they have all of your basic criteria correct. These are things like is it owner occupied? primary residence? Do you have a fire, sprinkler or fire alarm? The latter is only applicable if you have a policy for other than wind storm from citizens. Next, look at the “Construction Details” section. Some of this is basic information and other stuff is taken from the Wind Mitigation Form. Tale a look at this document that Citizens has to be able to verify the Wind Mitigation Feature guidelines.
A while back I wrote this article on how to calculate the reduction in premium that having a certain wind mitigation credit will get one. So, if I add ALL/FULL impact shutters then how much do I save each year? And I wrote this one going over the Citizens Mitigation Form. Let’s look at the policy declarations to check…
Year Built – The only question here is does the property appraiser show this as being before or after 1 January 2002? This has to do with the implementation of the statewide Florida Building Code. IF THE HOUSE WAS BUILT AFTER 1 JAN 2002 THEN STOP. YOU GET THE BEST RATE.
Construction Type – CBS or Frame? If the house has more than 1/3 of the square footage as frame then it’s considered frame by Citizens. This would include a 2 story house built before 2002.
Roof Shape – Hip shaped roofs with NOT MORE THAN 10% of the perimeter of the roof that is something other than hip get a credit. Get your tape measure out and do some math.
Roof Cover – Was the roof installed post 03/01/2002 (After the FBC was adopted) or post 09/01/1994 for Miami Dade located houses?
Roof deck Attachment – How many nails are hold the plywood onto your roof trusses? Was it re-nailed at the roof change out? Look at the “shiners”, the nails that missed the truss. Are they 6 penny, 8 penny, ringed? And, you need the spacing which you can figure out with a small metal detector.
Roof Wall Connection – This is what holds your roof truss down to the walls. Is it a single wrap, a double wrap, a small “clip” or is it toe nailed (no metal)? ON inspection they denied my credit for a single strap for to few nails so I bought a Milwaukee “palm nailer” and added 10 penny x 1.5 inch nails to the straps. That was fun.
Secondary Water Resistance – The requirements for this is something which has changed over the years as far as where and when it would be required. This can be a few options but most of the time it is a done by peel and stick tape applied to the plywood joints at re-roof. This is a VERY minor mitigation credit but still, if I was having a new roof installed then I would do it.
Terrain – B or C? If you have Citizens its probably because you live in an Exposure C location.
12021 Aviles Circle, Palm Beach Gardens
12021 Aviles Circle is a single family home located in the gated neighborhood of Paloma in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This two story home has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 car garage and a bonus room that can be used as a den or office. The home has volume ceilings, hurricane impact windows, the master bedroom upstairs has a balcony overlooking the lake, there is also the bonus space of a loft upstairs. Enjoy all the amenities that Paloma has to offer including a resort-style pool and clubhouse, fitness center and playground. Conveniently located centrally in Palm Beach Gardens close to restaurants, shopping, highway and beaches.

Data Courtesy of The Sheehan Agency
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- …
- 167
- Next Page »